From "Food for Fines" to "Read and Feed"

Fairfax County Public Library

With the widespread popularity of the "fine free" movement, many libraries have had to tackle one of the only downsides: decreased food donations. A popular way to waive or lessen fines had been to donate nonperishable goods in exchange. By eliminating fines, many libraries lost that source of donation. After adopting a fine-free model in 2022, the Fairfax County Public Library shifted their messaging to create the “Read and Feed” drive in 2022, replacing the popular “Food for Fines."

Sensory Storytime in Greensboro

Greensboro Public Library

For the first time, Greensboro Public Library will host a story time event for adults with special needs, like those with autism or other intellectual or developmental disabilities. Sensory Storytime is a way for special needs adults to see, smell and hear by using repetitive rhymes and interactive call and responses. Sensory Storytime will include short books and storytelling, music and movement.

Literacy Through Laughter in Halifax

Halifax Public Libraries

This month, Halifax Public Libraries will host Funny Pages, Canada’s only festival devoted to books that crack kids up. Through Funny Pages, Halifax aims to use the joy of humor to introduce even the most reluctant reader to the joy of books and to see low literacy rates "laughed right out of existence." This year, some of Canada's funniest authors will entertain, educate and delight hundreds of elementary school students in Halifax and Lunenburg County. 

"Libraries Serve Youth at Risk of Incarceration"

With the support of the Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity, the Urban Libraries Council is working to build a body of research on how libraries are working with African American youth, creating an initiative called Creating Youth Opportunities. Libraries engage with adults reentering the community to meet their needs. Many libraries, however, are increasing their focus on youth before they even enter the justice system, with an eye on long-term community change.

“Many youth disengage with the library at 16 years old – it’s not necessarily the place they want to be associated with,” said Columbus Metropolitan Library CEO Patrick Losinski. “We are proud of the amount of work we’ve done creating dynamic facilities. We have buildings kids want to hang out in. That’s half the battle, getting them through the doors.”

"How to Support Mental Health and Well-Being In Your Library"

Join ULC for a webinar on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 1 p.m. ET to discover how Pima County Public Library formed its newest affinity team focused on community health and wellness. Heather Severson (Tween Services Librarian) and Karyn Prechtel-Altman (Deputy Director of Community Engagement) will share the work that Pima County Public Library is beginning with their groundbreaking Synapse Team, with the goal of creating an atmosphere that reduces the stigma often associated with mental health issues so that patrons and staff feel empowered to seek whatever help they need.

Speakers:

• Heather Severson, Tween Services Librarian, Pima County Public Library
• Karyn Prechtel-Altman, Deputy Director of Community Engagement, Pima County Public Library

ULC is thrilled to announce our new partnership with EBSCO, the leading global provider of resources for libraries! EBSCO is the generous Program Supporter of our upcoming CEO Roundtable, hosted in partnership with The New York Public Library. Thank you, EBSCO, for your support!

Library Forward offers a full complement of design services spanning a library’s entire lifecycle—from visioning, strategic planning, needs assessment, and branding, to interior design, signage, furniture services, and more. Known to many librarians and ULC members simply as “Group 4”, Library Forward is born out of Group 4’s library-specific expertise and reflected in the firm’s full name: Group 4 Architecture, Research + Planning, Inc.